Technology & Telecom Archives

JPMC introduces AI Chatbot to streamline outpatient care

July 27, 2026 by Newsdesk

KARACHI: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot in the outpatient department (OPD) of its CyberKnife Department to speed up patient assessments, reduce waiting times and improve access to medical care.

The AI chatbot is designed to collect patients’ medical information before they see a doctor, allowing physicians to review their symptoms and medical history in advance. Hospital officials say the initiative is intended to eliminate long queues and make the initial screening process more efficient.

Radiation oncologist Dr. Fatima said patients will first check in at the reception before interacting with the chatbot, which communicates in the patient’s native language.

The system gathers information including the patient’s age, symptoms, medical complaints and relevant health history, asking follow-up questions until it has a clear understanding of the case.

After the interview, the chatbot automatically generates a digital medical report containing the patient’s history, symptoms and a preliminary assessment. The report is then sent electronically to the relevant consultant or specialist before the clinical examination, enabling doctors to provide more informed and efficient care.

The hospital has initially established four dedicated AI consultation rooms, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with plans to expand the service to 24-hour availability in the future.

EU fines Google €890m for violating digital markets act

July 23, 2026 by Newsdesk

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has imposed a €890 million ($1 billion) fine on Google, accusing the technology giant of abusing its dominant position in online search and violating the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

In a statement, the Commission said Google illegally used its market dominance to favor its own services including shopping, travel, gaming and other products while pushing rival services lower in search results, harming fair competition.

The Commission also found that Google prevented app developers from informing users about alternative payment options outside the Google Play Store, a practice that allegedly helped preserve the company’s commission fees. Regulators said the conduct violates the DMA, which is designed to ensure fair and non-discriminatory practices by major technology companies.

Google has been given 60 days to comply with the Commission’s decision or face additional financial penalties.

The ruling is expected to heighten trade tensions between the European Union and the United States, as the Trump administration has criticized the bloc’s digital regulations as unfair and warned of possible retaliatory measures.

Google rejected the decision, saying the ruling would ultimately harm European consumers.

The latest action is part of a series of antitrust cases against the company. In 2018, the EU fined Google €4.34 billion over Android-related anti-competitive practices, while in 2017 it imposed a €2.42 billion penalty for favoring its comparison shopping service in search results. European courts have since upheld key aspects of those rulings.

World’s most-subscribed YouTuber MrBeast marries Thea Booysen

July 22, 2026 by Newsdesk

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber, has married South African content creator Thea Booysen in a private ceremony on Necker Island.

MrBeast shared photos from the wedding on Instagram, writing, “I found Mrs. Beast,” and described the occasion as the best day of his life.

The couple’s wedding celebrations began on July 14 and lasted for a week, culminating in a ceremony attended by about 70 family members and close friends.

Donaldson, an American content creator, operates the most-subscribed channel on YouTube. Booysen, who is also a YouTuber, holds degrees in law and psychology and frequently appears in MrBeast’s videos.

The couple first met in South Africa in 2022. In a previous interview, Booysen said she was surprised by Donaldson’s humility and intelligence when they first met. They remained in contact after that meeting and later began a relationship before tying the knot.

Hackers leak alleged data linked to India’s nuclear power plant

July 15, 2026 by Newsdesk

NEW DELHI: A ransomware group has published what it claims is sensitive data related to India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s largest nuclear facility, raising cybersecurity concerns over critical infrastructure.

According to Reuters, the ransomware group World Leaks posted a large cache of files on the dark web, including what appear to be facility layouts, supplier information, inspection records and engineering documents. The group claimed the data was obtained through a breach involving Reliance Infrastructure, which is involved in construction work at the plant.

Reliance said in a statement that data stored on servers operated by data center provider Yotta had been partially compromised and that the incident had been reported to the Indian government.

The company did not specify what information, if any, had been affected or confirm that the leaked files were authentic.

Reuters reported that more than 858,000 files were allegedly obtained, with around 19,000 considered potentially sensitive.

The documents reportedly include ventilation and cooling system plans for Units 3 and 4, supplier proposals, approved vendor lists, inspection records and insurance documents. The published files do not appear to include information on the reactors’ core operating systems.

Cybersecurity experts warned that even if the leaked material does not expose reactor controls, it could still provide valuable intelligence about the plant’s supporting infrastructure and supply chain. Nicholas Roth, senior director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, said such information could help attackers identify vulnerabilities within critical systems.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is the largest of India’s seven nuclear power stations and a key part of the country’s plan to expand nuclear energy generation. Units 3 and 4, currently under construction, are expected to begin operations in 2027 with a combined capacity of 2,000 megawatts.

World Leaks has previously claimed responsibility for cyberattacks targeting major companies, including Nike and Tata Group, and typically publishes stolen data after ransom demands are rejected. The authenticity and full scope of the leaked documents related to Kudankulam have not been independently verified.

SpaceX market value plunges by $400 billion in one day

June 25, 2026 by Newsdesk

NEW YORK: SpaceX suffered a historic market setback as its valuation plunged by an estimated $400 billion in a single day, amid a broad sell-off in technology stocks driven by rising bond yields, interest rate concerns and investor unease over heavy spending on artificial intelligence.

According to market reports, shares of Elon Musk’s aerospace and technology company came under significant pressure as investors moved away from high-growth technology stocks.

SpaceX shares initially fell about 3% during trading before closing down 16.4% at $154.60. The sharp decline wiped out roughly $400 billion in market value, marking one of the largest single-day valuation losses ever recorded by a company.

The company’s stock has now fallen 31.5% from its record high reached following its $86 billion initial public offering on June 11.

As a result of the sell-off, SpaceX’s market capitalization dropped from a peak of nearly $3 trillion to approximately $2.03 trillion.

Market analysts attributed the decline to rising U.S. Treasury yields, which have increased expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates in the coming months to combat inflation. Higher borrowing costs typically weigh on technology companies whose valuations are tied to future growth expectations.

Investors have also expressed concerns about the substantial capital being directed toward artificial intelligence projects, prompting renewed scrutiny of technology sector valuations.

Despite the sharp losses, SpaceX shares recovered about 2.4% in later trading as some investors moved to buy the stock at lower prices. However, analysts said concerns over interest rates and AI-related spending continue to pressure the broader technology market.

SpaceX loses $400 billion in market value in historic one-day decline

June 24, 2026 by Newsdesk

NEW YORK: SpaceX suffered a historic market setback, losing an estimated $400 billion in value in a single day as a broad sell-off swept through technology stocks amid concerns over rising interest rates and heavy investment in artificial intelligence.

According to market reports, the decline was driven by rising U.S. Treasury yields, expectations of further interest rate increases and growing investor concerns about valuations in the technology sector.

Shares of SpaceX Official Website fell sharply during trading, ending the session down 16.4% at $154.60. The stock had earlier recorded a 3% decline before selling accelerated later in the day.

The company’s shares have now fallen 31.5% from record highs reached following its $86 billion initial public offering on June 11.

The sell-off reduced SpaceX’s market capitalization from a peak of nearly $3 trillion to approximately $2.03 trillion, marking one of the largest single-day losses in corporate market value on record.

Analysts said the decline ranks among the biggest one-day market capitalization losses ever recorded by a publicly traded company.

Despite the sharp drop, shares recovered modestly in later trading, gaining about 2.4% as some investors moved to buy the stock at lower levels.

Market experts said the volatility reflects growing concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer or implement further increases if inflation remains elevated. Rising bond yields typically weigh on high-growth technology companies by increasing borrowing costs and reducing the attractiveness of future earnings.

Investors are also closely monitoring the substantial spending commitments being made across the artificial intelligence sector, which have fueled questions about profitability and long-term returns.

Elon Musk reveals simple protein-rich breakfast routine

June 15, 2026 by Newsdesk

Elon Musk: The world’s richest person and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has revealed that his morning routine is far less luxurious than many might expect, despite his immense wealth.

In a podcast appearance, Musk said he prefers a simple, protein-rich breakfast to start his day, typically including eggs and steak. He said he avoids bread and carbohydrate-heavy foods in the morning.

“I don’t like eating bread for breakfast, but I do eat eggs and steak,” Musk said, adding that protein helps maintain his energy levels throughout the day.

He explained his belief that carbohydrates may provide a quick boost in energy but can also lead to a rapid decline later in the day.

Nutrition experts note that protein-rich foods can help support muscle health and improve overall well-being, while eggs also provide essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, iodine and choline, which supports brain function.

Studies further suggest that high-protein breakfasts can help regulate appetite and keep people feeling full for longer, reducing the likelihood of frequent snacking.

Facebook and Instagram outage disrupts services worldwide

June 12, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Facebook and Instagram services were disrupted in Pakistan and several other countries on Friday, leaving users unable to access key features of the platforms, according to user reports.

Users said they faced difficulties sending messages and posting content on Facebook, while others reported login issues on Instagram.

The outage also affected Meta’s platforms globally, with widespread complaints shared on X (formerly Twitter) by users reporting service interruptions.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, had not issued an official statement on the disruption at the time of reporting.

The incident caused inconvenience to millions of users who rely on the platforms for communication and social networking.

Bill Gates makes explosive claim of blackmail in Epstein investigation

June 11, 2026 by Newsdesk

WASHINGTON: Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has testified before a U.S. House Oversight Committee regarding his past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to details released following a closed-door hearing.

Gates said in his opening statement that he never saw any indication that Epstein was involved in ongoing criminal activity. He added that he never visited Epstein’s private island, residences, or his Florida home, and rejected suggestions of a close personal relationship.

According to Gates, his first meeting with Epstein took place in 2011 during discussions related to fundraising for philanthropic initiatives. He said Epstein portrayed himself as someone with access to wealthy networks capable of supporting global health projects, which led to a limited number of meetings.

Gates said he cut off all contact with Epstein in December 2014, adding that no philanthropic fund or project materialized from their interactions.

During the testimony, Gates also referenced emails included in investigative documents, alleging that Epstein attempted to pressure him using personal information related to his private life. Gates said these matters were unrelated to their meetings but acknowledged they caused distress to his family.

He said later-released documents suggest Epstein tried to regain contact by using misleading claims and personal details, but was unsuccessful. Gates described meeting Epstein as a “major mistake” and said he regrets any perception that the relationship gave Epstein legitimacy.

The testimony is part of a broader congressional investigation into Epstein’s connections with influential political, business, and social figures, and whether any individuals helped shield him from accountability.

Committee Chairman James Comer said Gates was questioned about Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, but clarified that Gates is not accused of any illegal activity.

Epstein was accused of running a long-standing sex trafficking network involving underage girls. He died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting federal trial; his death was ruled a suicide. The case continues to generate public scrutiny and political debate in the United States.